Parents

Check back for information about how to help your child be successful!

A college degree is more important now than ever before. Some people even say that a Bachelor's degree is the new high school diploma! Making education a priority for your children is one of the best gifts you can give them.

 

Terminology:

Here are some important words and abbreviations to help you talk about college:

  • High school diploma - Degree received after graduating from high school
  • GED - General Equivalency Degree - Degree received from an alternative high school
  • A.A. - Associate's degree - a basic college degree earned from a community college or a trade school
  • B.A. - Bachelor's degree - a college degree earned from a special trade school or a university
  • Financial aid - Money from the government, a school, or private donors to help you pay for college

Degree Options

To go to college, you need a high school diploma or a GED. There are many different paths your child can take to earn his or her degree. Here's a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of each:

1. Community college - Associate's degree

      • Pro: Relatively inexpensive ($2,300/year in 2012)
      • Pro: Takes two years 
      • Con: Not as powerful as as a Bachelor's degree

2. Trade school - Certificate OR Specialty Associate's or Bachelor's degree

  • Pro: Learn a trade (electrician, plumbing, mechanics, computing)
  • Pro: Possible to earn B.A., depending on program
  • Con: High cost ($30,000+/year)
  • Con: Sometimes schools are not universally accredited, meaning degree is useless after graduation

       3. Military service - No degree upon completion

  • Pro: Learn a trade
  • Pro: Give back to country
  • Pro: Receive benefits, including scholarships to pay for college
  • Con: Potentially difficult experience
  • Con: Must defer going to college while fulfilling service